Try different routes at different times of the day, I prefer to walk early in the morning because it's cooler and I see lots of kids on their way to school. I took the same route in the evening & saw lots of rabbits in the neighborhood.

Hang in there

What you see depends on what you're looking for. Source Unknown

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.Ralph Waldo Emerson

Keep varying your walking routine. Maybe you should try adding in some strength training by starting small. I love doing the SparkPeople strength exercises and it takes minimal equipment. It works too, since I am firming up and have some good muscle tone starting to show. Remember to mix things up since it helps keep the boredom at bay.

When I lose my way, I find it's always best to "Get back to Basics". Is your walk boring? find a new one. Go back to the eating pattern that helped you stay thin in the past. And remember, exercise has a natural anti-depressant effect. Listen to nature and your body. Easier said than done, but try not to attach emotion to eating. It doesn't make you any happier, but dropping a few pounds DOES.

Keep walking. It is hard because our bodies don't give us the exact results we expect. It takes a while to firm up after losing weight.

First the weight goes, then the skin over the fat is loose. It firms up with a little time. It firms up as the muscles develop. It is hard to wait because it seems like things are getting worse rather than better.

Keep looking at all the things you have gained. You have lost weight. You are stronger. You have more energy. You are healthier. You can do more. You are conquering a problem and success builds on success.

Keep going. I agree that rewarding yourself is a great thing to do. Remember to reward behaviors and not losing weight. That is the result but not the habit that you learned to lose weight. If you reward the habits, you will probably keep the habits long after you have lost the weight.

Call me WG A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. Oscar Wilde

You will never "find" time for anything. If you want time, you must make it. Charles Bruxton

I have been there and I am there now again. I haven't gained to weight back on but I have gotten flabby again cause of my depression of losing my job and my so called friends. Now with the loving and strong support I have here on this team and my other ones I am coming out of this saddness and I am doing things again slowly. WE area here for you. Hold your stomack in and breath lifting your chest as you breath, it will strenghten the core muscles. Great job on walking 5 miles that is awesome. Good luck and remember you are getting healthy and stronger.

You've overcome some serious life changing situations and you are now on the up again, so don't falter now!

Why don't you try a 'Virtual' Walk to somewhere of significance and use your steps as mileage to get there. Walking WILL lose that fat around your tummy but as you are walking trying holding in your tummy muscles too - without holding your breath!! This will strengthen your tummy muscles and you'll even look like you've lost inches too!

That ole tummy is the bain of us women's lives - but eventually we do get there, I know how you feel about being slim then losing that figure - I too had a major back/pelvic injury and lost my figure - but its coming back! I use to do ballet so frustration is my worst fault!

Go on my dear, I'm your age too and even though sometimes I can't be bothered to get out there I'm always delighted after I have!!!

Hello all, I am a 47 year old that was always thin until about 12 years ago. I got depressed after losing both of my parents and started to slowly put on weight, which of course, made the depression worse! A life altering situation occurred a couple months ago that really hurt. I started walking about 8 weeks ago and loved it! I walked a mile a day at first then 3 then up to 5. I started using different routes and had people walking with me sometimes too. I even managed to lose 13lbs. All of a sudden, I started to lose my motivation though. Now, I can't seem to regain it. I really want to regain it! The weather is nice her in NY too! I guess one of the things that started me on the negative thinking is that although I was starting to lose weight is that I am still flabby and do not seem to be firming up at ALL! UUGGGGHHH!! Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

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